Avatar: 'Avatar' leads Oscar discussions online

Hollywood-With the Academy Awards just days away, fans online are increasingly discussing the nominees for best picture, a category that has expanded to include 10 films this year, along with the actors and actresses nominated in a lead role, according to analysis undertaken by The Nielsen Company using Nielsen Online BuzzMetrics.

Mirroring its global box office success, Avatar dominates online discussion of films in the movie category, grabbing more than a quarter of all buzz globally surrounding the 10 Oscar-nominated films.

In India too Avatar is the most discussed movie online and has a majority share of buzz, followed by Up in the Air which is the second most discussed movie in India.

"It is not surprising to see discussions revolve around the movie Avatar so much, as it was one of the most awaited movies of the year 2009 and the fact that it came from the James Cameron stable, who had previously wowed everyone with Titanic, the wait was only justified. On the other hand following AR Rahman's double Oscars for his music in the film Slumdog Millionaire last year, the buzz online in India is quite palpable," said Karthik Nagarajan, Associate Director - Nielsen Online, The Nielsen Company.

In the main acting categories, Golden Globe winners Jeff Bridges (for Crazy Heart) and Sandra Bullock (for The Blind Side) take the global buzz lead against their competition, with each capturing more than a quarter of buzz globally.